Ray Briggs Clinics in Idaho

Last weekend Ray Briggs visited the University of Idaho to work as a clinician along with John Clayton at the Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival. Dr. Briggs worked with the Lionel Hampton Youth Jazz Orchestra.

Marian Bodnar to Design New Curriculum

Marian Bodnar has been selected to redesign and write curriculum, syllabi, course content, and in-house textbooks for the vocal program at the Musician’s Institute in Hollywood, which offers A.A. and Bachelor’s degrees in contemporary commercial music. This will include all of the pedagogical materials for voice majors. Ms. Bodnar has been specifically chosen in order to provide a classically-based foundation for the Institute’s contemporary-style singers. Andrea Calderwood, a CSULB jazz graduate program alumni is head of the Vocal Department there.

Nathanael Tronerud’s work honored

“Swordspoint,” with a score by MM composition student Nathanael Tronerud, was named one of the 11 Best Fantasy / Audio Theater audiobooks for 2012 by AudioFile Magazine. Author Ellen Kushner teamed up with Nate again for the second book in the series, “The Privilege of the Sword.” Nate will soon start the score for the third book in the trilogy, “The Fall of the Kings.” These audiobooks are part of a series curated by Neil Gaiman.

John Barcellona in Concert

On Friday, Jan. 11, 2013, the Caliendo/Barcellona Duo presented workshops at La Sierra High School in Tollhouse, CA (band director Bruce Weinberger – CSULB 1980) and presented a concert for the Auberry Community Concert Series.